Here’s my routine for getting the most years out of fiberglass windows (mine are about 12 years old now, and still looking decent). First, I try to clean them with just mild soap and water—no harsh chemicals. Then, every spring, I check the caulking and weatherstripping around the frames. If it’s peeling or cracked, I touch it up. I also make sure to open and close them a couple times a month so nothing sticks or gets jammed up.
I’ve read that UV exposure can mess with the finish over time, so I avoid pressure washing or using anything abrasive. Sometimes I wonder if I should be waxing them or something, but honestly, I haven’t tried that yet. Anyone have tricks for keeping them from fading or getting brittle? Or is there a “secret sauce” to making these windows last even longer?
Sometimes I wonder if I should be waxing them or something, but honestly, I haven’t tried that yet.
You’re already ahead of most folks—half the time I show up for a job, the windows haven’t been touched since the Bush administration. Mild soap and water is spot on. I’ve seen people try car wax, but honestly, it’s a bit overkill unless you’re in a spot with brutal sun. If you keep up with the caulking and don’t let dirt build up, you’re golden. Fiberglass is tougher than it looks. I’ve only seen them get brittle when people go wild with pressure washers or let the seals go bad for years. Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll probably get another decade easy.
Funny, I used to be all about the “specialty” products—wax, sprays, you name it. After a couple of seasons, I realized it was mostly just making work for myself. My neighbor swears by waxing his, but honestly, his look about the same as mine and I just use dish soap and a soft brush. The biggest difference I’ve noticed comes down to keeping the weep holes clear and making sure the caulking isn’t turning into powder. I did let one window go too long without checking and had to deal with a bit of water sneaking in—not fun.
Pressure washers are another thing people go overboard with. My cousin blasted his sills last summer... ended up with chipped paint and a draft he can’t get rid of now. Fiberglass will put up with a lot, but it’s not invincible. I’d say skip the wax unless you’re really getting hammered by sun or salt air. Otherwise, just keeping them clean and sealed seems to do the trick.
I get where you’re coming from with the specialty stuff feeling like more hassle than it’s worth, but I’ll admit I’m still a bit of a wax believer—at least for the windows on the south side of my house. We’ve got brutal afternoon sun half the year and, after a couple seasons with just soap and water, I started seeing a bit of chalkiness on the frames. Maybe it’s overkill, but after I started using a marine wax every spring, they stopped fading so fast. Could be in my head, but I feel like it gives them a fighting chance.
On the other hand, you’re spot on about pressure washers. My neighbor did the same thing—thought he’d save time and just blasted everything. Ended up with water forced behind the trim and had to replace a bunch of caulk he’d just done. I stick to a garden hose and a soft brush now. It takes longer, but at least I’m not causing more problems than I’m solving.
The weep holes are one thing I didn’t pay much attention to until we had that big storm last year. Water started pooling on the inside sill and I panicked thinking it was a seal failure. Turned out it was just gunked-up weep holes from all the cottonwood fuzz in our area. Now I check them every few months—learned that lesson quick.
I guess what it comes down to is every house is different. Climate, exposure, even just how your yard is laid out can change what those windows have to deal with. For some folks maybe wax is pointless, but for me, it’s helped keep things looking decent under pretty harsh sun. Just don’t let anyone near mine with a power washer...
Interesting you mention marine wax. I’ve heard mixed things about it—some folks swear it helps, others say it’s just another layer of work. The south side of my house gets hammered by sun too, and the frames are definitely a little duller than the rest. I haven’t tried waxing yet, mostly because I’m not sure if it’s worth the time, but your experience makes me think maybe I should give it a shot on just one or two windows and see if there’s any difference after a season.
You’re absolutely right about the pressure washer mess. I made that mistake with my old wood windows years ago and ended up with water behind the trim and peeling paint. Lesson learned—now I just use a sponge and garden hose for everything outside. It takes longer but at least nothing gets forced where it shouldn’t be.
The weep holes are something I probably overlook more than I should. We get a ton of pollen in spring and sometimes those little channels get blocked up without me noticing until there’s water pooling or the window starts to stick. Usually takes a toothpick or a bit of wire to clear them out, but it’s easy to forget until there’s an issue.
One thing I do every fall is run my fingers around all the seals before it gets cold—if anything feels brittle or cracked, I’ll replace that section of weatherstripping before winter sets in. Not sure if that really extends the life much, but at least drafts aren’t as bad.
I guess there’s no magic fix for keeping these things perfect forever, but regular checks seem to head off most major problems before they start. The fading is still annoying though… maybe this year’s the year I try out some wax on those sunny frames and see what happens.
Marine wax is one of those things I see folks debate all the time—honestly, I’m not totally sold. I’ve had a couple customers try it on their south-facing windows, and after a year or two, there wasn’t much difference except maybe a bit more shine at first. The UV still faded the color, just a little slower, maybe. Plus, if you use the wrong wax or don’t buff it out right, you can end up with weird streaks that are actually harder to clean off later.
I get wanting to do *something* about fading, but I wonder if it’s really worth the extra maintenance. Sometimes I think a decent UV-resistant spray (like the stuff they make for patio furniture) might be less hassle and just as effective. Have you ever tried one of those instead?
You’re spot on about pressure washers—they’re great for decks but a nightmare for windows. I’ve seen trim rot out from water getting blasted behind it. Slow and steady with a sponge is definitely the way to go.
Weep holes are easy to forget, for sure. I usually tell people to check them every time they wash the windows—just poke ‘em clear and move on. It’s not glamorous, but it prevents way bigger headaches later.
I do like your weatherstripping routine, though. Most people never even think to check until there’s a draft or leak. Honestly, that’s probably saved you more trouble than any wax ever could.
I’ve wondered the same about UV sprays—seems like they’d be easier to reapply than wax and less likely to leave a mess. Ever notice if those sprays attract more dust, though? I’ve had mixed luck with weatherstripping too, especially on older frames. Does anyone actually get more than a few years out of it before it starts peeling?
- UV sprays go on fast, but yeah, they can attract dust. Especially if you lay it on thick or don’t buff it out. Noticed it more on south-facing windows where sun breaks down the spray quicker.
- Weatherstripping—honestly, most peel after 2-3 years on older frames. Adhesive just doesn’t hold once the old paint or wood starts to break down.
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Rarely see more than three. If you’re getting five, I’d call that a win.“Does anyone actually get more than a few years out of it before it starts peeling?”
- Sometimes I’ll run a bead of clear silicone under the strip for extra hold, but that makes future removal a pain.
- Anyone tried those magnetic strips? Curious if they hold up better or just another gimmick.
- Totally hear you on the weatherstripping.
You’re not kidding. I had one set that made it to year four and felt like I deserved a medal.“Rarely see more than three. If you’re getting five, I’d call that a win.”
- Magnetic strips… tried ‘em on a rental a few years ago. They’re fun at first, but the novelty wore off fast. The hold was just “meh” and if your frame isn’t perfectly flat, forget about it. Dust found its way in anyway.
- UV sprays: they work, but you basically have to treat it like a car wax—thin, buffed, and repeated way more than I’d like. South windows here too, and the sun is relentless. I wish someone would invent a spray that lasts longer than my motivation to reapply it.
- Silicone under the strip is a nice hack, but yeah, removal is a whole new headache. I’ve definitely regretted that one during window replacement.
Honestly, if you’re getting even a few years out of anything, you’re ahead of the game. Old houses keep us humble, that’s for sure.
“if you’re getting five, I’d call that a win.”
Honestly, five years feels like a unicorn. I’m with you on the magnetic strips—great in theory, but unless you’re working with a frame that’s perfectly true, all bets are off. I’ve also tried the UV sprays and yeah, the “car wax” comparison is spot on. Who’s got time to reapply every few months? I will say, a light sanding and a good marine-grade finish on the exterior sills has helped me more than anything else. Not perfect, but at least I’m not cursing at peeling paint every spring.